St Brigids National School
Curragh, Kildare
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 167 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 85 girls, 82 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16302F the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Brigid’s National School, Ballysax, is a Catholic co‑educational primary school situated in the parish of Suncroft, beside the Curragh in County Kildare. Under the patronage of the Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin, the school works in partnership with its Board of Management, staff and parents/guardians to create a caring, nurturing environment where mutual respect and trust are paramount. The ethos is encapsulated in the motto “Play together, Learn together, Grow together”, reflecting a holistic approach that seeks to develop each child intellectually, socially, spiritually, emotionally and physically. The school provides six mainstream classes from Junior Infants to Sixth Class, supported by a team that includes mainstream teachers, special education teachers, and dedicated support assistants. Facilities have expanded from the original five‑classroom building opened in 1994 to eight classrooms, specialised rooms for special‑education provision, a staffroom, office and a school hall. Recent investment through the NextGeneration EU‑funded School Broadband Programme has delivered high‑speed internet and a Digital Learning Plan, helping to bridge the digital divide for learners at risk of disadvantage. A wide range of extracurricular activities – from sports (GAA, basketball, swimming) and Green School awards to Aistear, Book Week, Seachtain na Gaeilge and choir – enrich the curriculum and promote inclusion, wellbeing and community spirit.
History
The origins of education in the Ballysax area date back to 1839 when the Cut Bush School was blessed and opened by Fr John Murphy. A later school, known locally as Brownstown School, was established in 1916 in the neighbouring townland of Brownstown; it operated as two separate single‑sex schools until 1968 when it became co‑educational. The present St Brigid’s National School was officially opened in 1994 on land generously donated by local farmer Andy Cullen. Initially a five‑classroom facility, it has since been expanded to eight classrooms with dedicated spaces for special‑education provision, a staffroom, office and school hall, reflecting the community’s long‑standing commitment to primary education.
Applying to St Brigids National School
For a September 2027 place, a school's formal admissions process cannot begin before 1 October 2026. The school sets its own opening and closing dates in its annual admission notice.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to St Brigids National School. Individual schools set their own discretionary closure days, confirm exact dates with the school.
- October Mid-Term Break: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027
- February Mid-Term Break: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (post-primary schools: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027)
- Easter Holidays: Mon 22 Mar – Sun 4 Apr 2027
Primary schools close for the last two days of the February mid-term week and may use discretionary days to take the full week, so their break can be shorter than post-primary schools'.
Frequently asked questions about St Brigids National School
How many pupils attend St Brigids National School?
St Brigids National School has 167 pupils enrolled, 85 girls and 82 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Brigids National School a DEIS school?
No. St Brigids National School is not part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme of additional supports for schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage. Not holding DEIS status says nothing about how good a school is, only about the profile of the community it serves.
What is the ethos of St Brigids National School?
St Brigids National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.